Things to do in

Belfast

Explore the world’s largest Titanic experience in the historic shipyards in Belfast where the doomed ocean liner the Titanic was built. The adventure begins the moment you walk into the building's giant atrium, surrounded by 4 ship-hull-shaped wings. Journey through 9 large galleries of the state-of-the-art interactive exhibition to uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history. Learn about turn-of-the-century Belfast as a thriving boom town, and take a thrilling tour through dramatic presentations of the shipyards and Titanic under construction. Watch her launch from the slipways, and explore the luxurious craftsmanship of the interiors. Go deep into the stories of the passengers, crew, and heroes of the day. Relive the drama of her tragic end, and see the wreck at her resting place on the ocean floor. Voyage to the bottom of the North Atlantic in the Ocean Exploration Centre, with live links to contemporary undersea explorations. If you'd like a souvenir to remind you of your trip, there's plenty to choose from in the Titanic Store. End with a visit to SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel and the biggest Titanic artefact in the world. Famous as a tender for the Titanic, and a quarter of her size in every dimension, you can marvel at the original ornate doors, panels, plasterwork, and staircases that greeted first and second class passengers on board. See what life was like as a crew member.

Meet your guide, a working Belfast cab driver, and hear about their personal involvement in The Troubles. Enjoy a welcome to Belfast while learning about how they are now dedicated to delivering an unbiased account of this dark period. Encounter locations like the Falls Road and Shankill Road, two communities still separated by the looming Peace Walls. You will see many telling political murals, and share in stories from those who lived through the conflict. Enjoy an experience with a maximum of 5 participants, though groups can be as small as 1-3. Notable people who have undertaken this same Black Cab Tour in the past include Anthony Bourdain, Vince Vaughn, and George Negus, to name but a few. Experience unique insights from the past and present. Your guide will be happy to answer any questions about the city's troubled history, its changes, and its future, or give recommendations for food and entertainment.

Journey through Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian-era prison. Hear the stories of the murderers, suffragettes, loyalists and republican prisoners who were jailed here. Learn about the births, executions, hunger strikes and riots that have taken place within the prison walls. Begin your visit in the jail basement, where you can see artifacts from when the jail was in operation. Walk through the passageway, known as “the tunnel,” which connects the jail with the courthouse across the road. Between 1968 and the prison’s closing, over 25,000 prisoners made their way through this tunnel. See “the circle,” which is located at the centre of the four wings of the jail. Marvel at the jail’s 19th-century Victorian architecture. Next, make your way to the C-wing. Experience what the living conditions were like in the prison at various points throughout the jail’s history. See the condemned man’s cell. Seventeen men in total were executed at the jail, and you will see where many of them spent their last days. Enter the execution chamber where twelve men had their lives ended. End your tour at the graveyard, where the executed men were buried. As part of their sentence, the condemned men were “to be buried in an unmarked grave, in unconsecrated ground.”

Join this tour for an unforgettable day out along the old Antrim coast towards the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. You will first visit Carrickfergus Castle before traveling on towards the old Antrim coastal route where you will wind through the small towns and villages, hearing the stories behind each one. Heading further along the coast before traveling through the nine Glens of Antrim, hearing the myths and legends of the fairies and leprechauns that reside in these Glens. You will then travel through the coastal town of Ballycastle before arriving at the historic fishermen’s access way – the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Stop to admire the views at White Park Bay and hear the stories behind the beautiful sights. The final stop of the day is at the Giant’s Causeway where you can explore the historic stones and learn about the legend of the Giant Finn MacCool, and how and why he built the Causeway. After all your exploring is done you will travel directly back to Belfast via the inland route.

Spend a full day traveling by award-winning coach along the Causeway Coastal Route, voted one of the 5 most spectacular drives in the world! Stop to see Carrickfergus Castle before heading to the world-famous Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. If you’re feeling brave you can make the terrifying trip across the bridge (weather permitting), or if you’d rather keep your feet firmly on land, you might prefer one of the exhilarating walks to enjoy the stunning views. Take a break from sightseeing and relax over lunch at Old Bushmills Distillery. You can also browse the extensive gift shop or visit to the bar for a quick taste of the famous tipple! After lunch you’ll re-board the luxury coach and head to the highlight of the tour – the Giant’s Causeway. At Ireland’s only World Heritage Site, you’ll spend some time climbing over the ancient stones and enjoying the myths and legends that surround this world-famous attraction. After the Giant’s Causeway you’ll make a final stop on the coastal route, at the ancient ruins of Dunluce Castle. Then it’s time to sit back and relax on the comfortable return journey to Belfast.

Follow in the footsteps of your favorite characters as you visit the avenue of trees known as the Dark Hedges, used as the King's Road location where Arya became friends with Gendry and Hot Pie. Continue to the ruins of Dunluce Castle, said to be the inspiration for Harrenhal. Next, make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Giant's Causeway and explore the 40,000 interlocking hexagonal stone columns.  Next visit the Fullerton Arms, a Game of Thrones-themed pub and restaurant in Ballyintoy, lunch at your own expense. Then, go to the village of Cushendun to see the caves formed by over 400 million years of extreme weather conditions. During your tour, you will also stop at the Carrickfergus Castle, the Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, and Larrybane Quarry. At the end of your tour, you will return to Belfast City Centre where you will be dropped off back at the meeting point.

Take a journey into Westeros and see epic filming locations from the Game of Thrones TV series. Meet your guide near the Grand Opera House in the center of Belfast and drive via luxury coach to the locations of Game of Thrones. This is not only Northern Island’s original Game of Thrones tour but is also provided by the same team that transported the show’s cast and crew. Enter the Caves of Cushendun where the Red Priestess Melisandre gave birth to a Shadow Assassin. Explore Larrybane Quarry, the site of Renly Baratheon’s camp. Here, among these stark cliffs, Brienne of Tarth fought in honor of Renly Baratheon. Travel down the Dark Hedges, aka the King’s Road, where Arya Stark traveled with Gendry and Hot Pie hoping to reach the Night’s Watch. See Ballintory Harbor, which was used for exterior shots for both Pyke and the Iron Islands. Cross the Carrick-A-Rede Ropebridge, a 20-meter long rope bridge that connects the tiny island of Carrickarede with the mainland. Marvel at the Giant’s Causeway, an area of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which form a staircase. The ropebridge and the Giant’s Causeway haven’t appeared in Game of Thrones, but they would make excellent locations for your fan fiction.

Cruise the bustling streets of Belfast City Centre on a unique beer bike. Join a group of between 7 and 16 participants, all working together to move the bike through town. From Royal Avenue to Cornmarket, City Hall to the Opera House, use your own energy to pedal throughout the city.  Soak up the atmosphere and toast your pedal partners on a tour catered to your wishes. Sneak in a stop at a traditional public house such as Kelly’s Cellars, Mourne Seafood Bar, Bittles, or Robinsons. If you would like extra drinks for the journey itself, the pedal vehicle is licensed for customers to bring their own beer, prosecco, or more — or you can contact the local operator to order drinks ahead of time.

Venture beyond the guide books and explore Belfast through the political conflict known as “The Troubles.” Walk the streets on both sides of the Peace Line with men and women who have served time in the prisons of Northern Ireland for standing up for their beliefs. Hear stories from both the Republican and Loyalist communities about the effects of the conflict, and get explanations about the political murals that tell the history and culture of the area from a unique perspective. Start by meeting a Republican ex-political prisoner for a guided walk along the infamous Falls Road. See visible signs of the community's desire to be part of an Irish Republic. Then, pass through the electronically-controlled gates to the predominately Protestant area of the Shankill Road, where you will meet a Loyalist ex-political prisoner to investigate the determination of the locals who wish to remain part of the United Kingdom. For more than 30 years “The Troubles” have had a powerful impact on the city and its residents. Very few people were unaffected by the violence, and everyone has a tale to tell. Investigate the real stories beyond the history books with first-hand accounts from those intimately involved. Explore the world’s largest, outdoor art gallery as you examine the many murals, and get the opportunity to sign the Peace Wall and leave your thoughts alongside those of Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama.

Belfast is a city best explored with those who have lived through its ups and downs and can share with you its wonderful secrets. An excellent and informative guide will take you deep into the underbelly of the streets of Belfast with an exciting ride in a taxi.  The tour begins at the corner of Falls and Shankill Road, where you start in the epicenter of the conflict between the Roman Catholic population and its Protestant brethren. Drive past the "Peaceline wall" which divides the two sides of the communities, as your guide painstakingly points out the meanings of the murals and art that you'll see painted onto the side of these walls. Belfast may be known for its troubles, but your guide is here to share with you all the things that make this city something truly unique - its people and its history! The tour will cater exactly to your needs and answer any questions you have about the place, whether its about the conflicts, or just a great restaurant to try out! Guides are real taxi drivers, so trust them, they know about this city!